THE Very Merry Mice by Jack Tickle (Little Tiger; €10.66) is a sturdy book for toddlers. The playful mice are having fun during the lead-up to Christmas. Each spread features a surprise festive pop-up. Fun for little hands.

ONCE Upon a Bedtime is a collection of animal tales (Little Tiger; €11.93 HB). With authors such as Ragnhild Scamell, AH Benjamin, Andrew Murray and Anne Mangan and illustrators including Michael Terry and Jack Tickle, these affectionate short stories about baby animals are perfectly structured for the very young.

AFTER the last of the melted Easter eggs are wiped from hands and faces, a good book will restore peace.